Three minutes with Stella McCartney

At the designers pre-fall 2013 presentation

An ice sculpture of a unicorn? Probably not the sort of thing youd expect to find just inside the doorway of an Upper East Side mansion.

But that unicorn proved the first of many surprises and delights at s pre-fall 2013 presentation on Tuesday eveningchief among them, the clothes.

Upstairs, models wearing sinuous, 70s-inflected gowns in colour-blocked velvets and silks posed for illustrators in a central salon. Others stood clustered around a Lady Gaga-playing piano man, competed at Scrabble in the library, or just lounged and laughed over glasses of Champagne in the hall.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

They wore tuxedo-striped trousers, striped silk jumpsuits and rich, feathered floral jacquard jackets. Anchoring it all was masculine footwear made over with heart-racing touches, like loafers that came spliced with mesh panels or enlivened by chunky tortoiseshell heels.

A train of well-dressed admirers (Mary Louise Parker, Elettra Wiedemann, Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld) waited to congratulate McCartney, both on the accomplishment of the collection and the recent news of her OBE.

Im a little overwhelmed by itI feel a little embarrassed, if Im honest, she told us. Whenever I get any kind of accolade, I feel humbled by it. But I feel lucky and privileged and Im very happy.

McCartneys inclusion on the Queens New Year Honours List follows her double-win at the 2012 British Fashion Awards, where she took home trophies for Designer and Designer Brand of the Year. Could royal honours be enough to convince her to move her show to London, once and for all?

Theres a side of me that loves showing in Paris, and another side that loves showing in London. And then tonight were in New York . I like having the freedom to express the brand, and when it feels right, to be in different parts of the world.

I dont think its so much about those two shows anymore. I put as much effort and work into these presentations, to be honest. Its not so strict anymore.

Although she wont reprise her models-and-magicians extravaganza during London Fashion Weeks upcoming round of autumn winter 2013 shows, she said she would for sure participate in LFW proceedings in the future.

Meanwhile, the collection offers dozens of tantalizing options for her upcoming Palace appointment. Which pieces will she wear first?

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Oh, Im the worst person to ask that question to! There are just so many different emotions in this collection, so many pieces I desire. I love the more cocktail-y day looks, like that peacock-blue coat with the feather jacquard, and then the humour and sweetness of the big fluffy teddy bear sweater. Im obsessed with the red coat. And the tortoiseshell shoes. I want them.

ELLE, PART OF THE HEARST UK FASHION & BEAUTY NETWORK
ELLE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.